Adverse childhood experiences and positive childhood experiences among United States military children
Research Report:
Research SummaryAPA Citation:
Crouch, E., Andersen, T. S., & Smith, H. P. (2023). Adverse childhood experiences and positive childhood experiences among United States military children. Military Medicine, usad416. https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usad416
Abstract Created by REACH:
This study compared rates of 7 positive childhood experiences (PCEs; e.g., after-school activities, having a mentor) and 10 adverse childhood experiences (ACEs; e.g., household violence, living with someone with mental illness, substance abuse in the household) between military-connected and civilian children ages 6–17. Data were from the National Survey of Children’s Health with responses from caregivers of 54,256 children. Overall, most ACEs and all PCEs occurred at similar rates among military-connected and civilian children. Regarding ACEs, military children were at greater risk for witnessing domestic violence, living with someone with mental illness, and living with someone experiencing substance abuse challenges in the household.
Focus:
Children
Trauma
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Subject Affiliation:
Child of a service member or veteran
Population:
Adolescence (13 - 17 yrs)
Authors:
Crouch, Elizabeth, Andersen, Tia S., Smith, Hayden P.
Abstract:
Many facets of military life are contributors to child health including frequent mobility, family separation, and increased risk to parental physical and mental health, as well as strong social networks and military support systems; yet, there has not been an examination of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and positive childhood experiences (PCEs) among military children.This study used the 2020–2021 National Survey of Children’s Health, limited to children aged 6 to 17 years of age, to examine the association between a child who has ever had a caregiver on active duty and their exposure to ACEs and PCEs (n = 54,256 children). Bivariate analyses used Pearson’s chi-squared tests and were weighted to be nationally representative. Multivariable regression models were used to examine the association between military status and selected ACEs.There were no statistically significant differences in PCEs between military and civilian children. Compared to children with a civilian caregiver, children who had a caregiver who had ever served on active duty had a higher odds of experiencing domestic violence (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR), 1.61; 95% CI 1.23–2.11), mental health issues or depression in the household (aOR 1.28; 95% CI 1.07–1.52), and substance use (aOR 1.28; 95% CI 1.06–1.55).This study complements and extends previous research that has taken a deficit approach and focused exclusively on the hardships faced by children in military families. The findings from this study may be instructive for child welfare advocates and policymakers as they intervene in communities with programming that promotes PCEs among children and adolescents.
Publication Type:
Article
REACH Publication
Keywords:
adverse childhood events, positive childhood experiences, military children
REACH Publication Type:
Research Summary
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